Lance Berkman (knee) will not begin his rehab assignment at Triple-A Memphis until Friday. It's not a setback, just a rescheduling. Berkman is aiming to return to the Cardinals in September as a backup first baseman and pinch-hitter. He has been on the shelf since August 3 with left and right knee discomfort.

An MRI has revealed cartilage damage behind Lance Berkman's left knee. Berkman suffered the injury while compensating for his surgically-repaired right knee, which he aggravated earlier this month. The 36-year-old insists that he'll return to play later this season, though it's looking likely that he won't be activated until next month. Berkman will be a part-time player down the stretch, as Allen Craig has settled in as the everyday first baseman, and he likely wouldn't be able to hold up physically in an everyday role, anyway.

Lance Berkman will have his right knee examined by doctors Friday after it buckled on him during Thursday's game. Berkman tweaked his knee coming out of the box on a ground out in the top of the ninth Thursday. He acknowledged after the game that it's "just not a perfect knee." The 36-year-old had surgery on the very same knee in late May.

Lance Berkman (knee) is back in the Cardinals' lineup Friday. Berkman didn't start the last two games after being hit by a pitch on his surgically-repaired right knee Tuesday, though he did make a pinch-hitting appearance Wednesday. David Freese (calf) is sitting out. Puma is batting .281/.395/.469 with one homer during his injury-shortened 2012 season.

Lance Berkman returned to action on Wednesday July 25.

Lance Berkman (knee) didn't start Wednesday's game, but he's not expected to miss much time. "It's a bruise y'all. Y'all have had bruises," Berkman said. "It's not like it's a major deal." The Cardinals can afford to rest Puma with their abundance of bats, but he should be fine in a day or two.

Lance Berkman left Tuesday's game in the third inning after being hit on the right knee by a Clayton Kershaw breaking pitch. It's the same knee that he had surgically-repaired earlier this season. Berkman went down in a heap immediately and was in obvious pain. He initially stayed in the game but was running very gingerly from first to second on a single, at which point the Cards took him out and inserted Matt Carpenter. He likely just has a bruise, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him sit out a day or two given the Cards' glut of hitting options.

Lance Berkman is not in the Cardinals' lineup Tuesday. "Big Puma" is likely to get regular days off as the Cardinals try to keep Allen Craig active. Craig is starting at first base on Tuesday night against the Brewers.

Cardinals activated 1B Lance Berkman from the 15-day disabled list. The move is now official. Berkman managed to avoid a rehab assignment and figures to be given regular rest initially, as the Cardinals try to find ways to get Allen Craig into the lineup. Shane Robinson was optioned to Triple-A Memphis to complete the transaction.

Lance Berkman (knee) will be activated from the disabled list Saturday. Puma will get his wish. Berkman worked out Thursday and was able to convince the Cardinals that he didn't a minor league rehab assignment. Still, he'll likely get regular rest initially, especially as the Cardinals try to find ways to fit Allen Craig into the lineup. It's even possible that Berkman will see some time in right field.